In Malaysian society, college and university degrees hold immense value and are considered a crucial factor in determining one's success. 4 out of 10 Malaysians acknowledge improvements in the quality of education, while majority believe that schools have sufficient resources and facilities.
We are in the new normal in the post-GE15 period, characterized by the post-pandemic economic recovery. The top three issues concerning Malaysians – namely political/financial corruption, inflation, and unemployment – have stabilized at their constant levels since January 2023.
Despite government attempts to rein in inflation, it remains persistent as the second most worrying concern in Malaysia every month since June 2022. Consumer purchase intentions for household and big-ticket items have been on a downward trend since the beginning of 2023.
Nonetheless, Malaysians continue to stay optimistic about their country's direction.
Nearly half of Malaysians believe they live in a meritocratic society, where success depends on individual ability and efforts. This contrasts with an opposing view, held by a quarter of the population, who believe that external factors beyond individual control condition success.
Malaysians, like other countries in Asia, have a positive attitude towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) and associated products and services. A younger population with the ability to adapt to the latest technology and the role technology plays in improving the quality of life in developing countries might be contributing to this outlook.
Majority of Malaysians believe that crime rates have remained steady compared to last year, with 25% of respondents reporting an increase in crime in their neighborhoods.
